The Events Industry Council’s origin emanates from the informal meetings of four organisations concerned with issues about “group business.” On 3 February 1949, the organisations met to formally organise as the Convention Liaison Committee (CLC), recognising the tripartite relationship among the convention official, the hotel executive and the convention bureau representative. The first project of the newly formed organisation was a booklet entitled “Group Business Unlimited,” and was developed by the committee as a means of spreading among the hotel industry a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges group business offers hotels. In 1974, the group renames itself Convention Liaison Council but does not formally incorporate until 1981.

In 1999, the council changes its name to Convention Industry Council to better represent its role as an umbrella organisation for meeting and event industry associations.

In 2017, the Convention Industry Council re-branded as Events Industry Council to be inclusive all member segments and more global representation.

Events Industry Council History Timeline

1949
Convention Liaison Committee/Council (CLC) – CIC`s forerunner – is founded by four organisations: the American Hotel Association (now American Hotel and Lodging Association); American Trade Association Executives (now American Society of Association Executives; Hotel Sales Management Association (now Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International) and International Association of Convention Bureaus (now Destinations International).

1961
The First Convention Liaison Council Manual is published

1970
The First Open Forum Meeting on Convention and Meeting Planning is held at the Fairmont Dallas

1973
In November 1973, the Convention Liaison Committee approves a new strategic action plan. A bold new plan is developed including new bylaws, membership criteria. Objectives of the new CLC include:

Defining major problems conducting convention business that cannot be solved individually.

Develop guidelines and recommendations on solutions to problems and distribute through member organisations.
Identify opportunities for improvement in the conduct of convention business.

Conduct educational activities to provide a forum for exchange of ideas, practices, responsibilities and ethical considerations of buyers and sellers.

Develop a PR programme to increase awareness in the business community of the economic, technological and educational importance of conventions.

1974
The new bylaws take effect on 1 January 1974, including a new name–Convention Liaison Council. CLC has eight members. In addition to the four founding members, Council of Engineering Society Secretaries (now CESSE); National Association of Exposition Managers (now International Association of Exhibitions and Events), and International Association of Auditorium Managers (now International Association of Venue Managers) have joined CLC.

1981
Convention Liaison Council formally incorporates as a District of Columbia non-profit corporation.

1985
The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) programme is launched to enhance the knowledge and performance of meeting professionals. The first class included 21 professionals, most with titles of executive director, president or CEO.

1985
Hall of Leaders is established to honour the many professionals who have helped to make the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry what it is today. The first class of 11 leaders includes luminaries such as Conrad Hilton, George Little and Buck Freeman.

1986
Members of the CLC recognised the need for an industry glossary and began assembling a list of terms and definitions. The glossary is restricted to terms specifically related to the meetings industry.

1993
CLC publishes the industry`s first Economic Impact Study, conducted by Deloitte & Touche.

1995
The first CMP Conclave is held in August at the Chateau Elan Resort & Conference Center, in Braselton, GA with 46 CMPs in attendance.

1996
CLC restructures, with an elected Board of Directors that includes four permanent seats held by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), International Association for Exhibition Management (IAEM) and Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).

1998
The CLC Forum is held, attracting 200 industry leaders to share information and ideas on timely industry-related topics.

1998
CLC launches a website www.conventionindustry.org to provide a wealth of information for member organisations and those who wish to join.

1999
CLC approves a name change to Convention Industry Council to better reflect the strategic importance and scope of the organisation going forward. CIC`s membership now consists of 30 national and international organisations representing more than 81,000 individuals, as well as 13,000 firms and properties.

2000
CIC launches new marketing and promotion campaign to expand awareness and support of its programmes.

2001
CIC embarks on a bold initiative, Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX), which will bring the entire meetings industry together to create accepted practices. An APEX Commission comprised of industry leaders from nine major segments of the meeting, convention and exhibition industry will oversee this five year programme. Hundreds of volunteers will concentrate on seven key areas: Terminology; History/Post Event Reports; RFPs; Resumes and Work Orders; Meeting and Site Profiles; Housing; and Contracts.

2002
CIC member audit reveals that 30 national and international member organisations represent more than 98,000 individuals and 15,000 firms and properties.

2004
CIC releases its Green Meetings Task Force Report, the first resource of its kind for the meetings industry that provides specific guidance and best practices for suppliers and planners in planning greener meetings.

2007
Since its inception, 12,158 certificants have passed the CMP exam, which sets the industry`s standard of excellence.

2009
In response to attacks on the meetings industry, CIC conducts a more comprehensive Economic Significance Study of Meetings to the U.S. Economy, which for the first time included primary survey research and found that the $263 billion USD in direct spending, 1.6 million jobs and $106 billion USD in GDP was contributed to the U.S. economy.

2010
The CMP programme celebrates its 25th anniversary at the CMP Conclave in Baltimore, Maryland.

2012
CIC launches new Pacesetter Award, honouring accomplished industry supporters and emerging leaders in the meetings and events community. Presented along with the esteemed Hall of Leaders award, the Pacesetter salutes emerging leaders and industry supporters who exhibit individual excellence based on innovation, impact, vision, leadership, influence, collaboration, courage, perseverance and other achievements in real-time, rather than over a lifetime.

2012
After a five-year development process with ASTM International, nine new standards for sustainable meetings and events are released. The APEX/ASTM Sustainable Meetings Standards are a compilation of standards for destinations, exhibits, transportation, audio visual and production services, communication and marketing materials, onsite offices, food and beverage, venues and accommodations.

2012
CIC releases an update to the U.S. Economic Significance Study. Even though indirect and induced effects decreased as a result of other industries struggling in down economy, direct spending and contributions of the meetings increased with $280 billion USD in direct spending, $116 billion USD contribution to then GDP and 1.8 million jobs.

2013
The CIC holds the first exam for a new subspecialty to the CMP in December of 2013. The inaugural class of 54 CMPs are awarded the Certified Meeting Professional – Healthcare (CMP-HC) designation, the industry’s first certification for healthcare meeting professionals, demonstrating the specialised knowledge required to manage healthcare meetings.

2013
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the Convention Industry Council (CIC) releases "Up to Speed: Event Bandwidth and High Speed Internet Access,” a white paper examining the importance of bandwidth and internet access for today’s meetings and events and offers critical information and advice for professionals working in meeting planning, hotel sales and convention services. CIC’s APEX Event Bandwidth Workgroup guided development of the white paper and launched a bandwidth calculator, developed by PSAV.

2014
APEX Launches Workgroup to study room block “poaching” in the meetings industry. Room block "poaching" refers to businesses that actively seek to recruit or divert event attendees away from official room blocks and into other hotel bookings. The work group releases several tools and resources for meeting professionals to address the issue.

2014
CIC launches online CMP application, allowing candidates to track education activities and employment experience as they are accumulated and once the prerequisites are met, the application can be submitted online. The online system allows candidates to keep track of continuing education sessions all in one place, upload supporting documentation and schedule the CMP exam appointment during any available testing window at any time within their eligibility window.

2015
The CMP programme turns 30 years old and announces the recipients of the Top #CMP30 Influencer Awards. Launched in honour of the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) programme’s 30th anniversary. #CMP30 Influencers made a substantial impact on their colleagues and communities and whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the global meetings and events industry and exemplify the spirit of the CMP credential – professionalism, credibility and excellence.

2015
CIC launches new governing structure and accepts applications for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Governance Commission. The governing body, previously known as the CMP Board, is now comprised of CMPs who apply, rather than are appointed by member organisations, and represent all sectors of the CMP community including planners, suppliers, third-party consultants and those in academia and ensure all sectors of the meetings industry are represented fairly.

2016
The Convention Industry Council (CIC) announces that the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) will become a council of CIC with specific charter and mandate to advocate and educate the events industry about sustainable events.

2017
After much research and global through leader input, the Convention Industry Council re-brands as the Events Industry Council and presents to the industry a bold new visual identity for the organisation as well as the CMP brand. EIC’s signature programmes include Sustainability, Industry Insight (replacing the APEX brand), Knowledge and Leadership.

2018
New survey research is completed and the latest update to the Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy is released. In 2016, the industry produced a $184 billion USD contribution to GDP, 1.9 million jobs, and $325 billion uSD in direct spending, a 23% increase since 2009.

2019
3 February 2019 marks Events Industry Council’s 70th year anniversary.